Home Depot rents out more than 300 types of tools and equipment, from tile saws to stump grinders to moving trucks. For a one-time project, renting a tool for $50-$75 a day beats buying one you'll use once and store forever. But the rental program has pricing quirks and policies that aren't obvious until you're standing at the counter.
Here's what's available, what it costs, and how to avoid the common mistakes.
What You Can Rent
The tool rental center is usually located near the front of the store, close to the entrance. Not every store carries every item, but most locations stock these categories:
- Demolition tools (jackhammers, rotary hammers, concrete saws)
- Earthmoving and landscaping (mini excavators, trenchers, tillers, sod cutters)
- Floor care (floor sanders, carpet cleaners, hardwood floor nailers)
- Concrete and masonry (concrete mixers, vibrators, power trowels)
- Saws (tile saws, miter saws, table saws, chainsaws)
- Pressure washers (electric and gas models up to 3,500 PSI)
- Trucks and vans (cargo vans, pickup trucks, flatbed trucks)
- Insulation blowers (free rental with insulation purchase at many stores)
- Drain cleaning and plumbing (drain snakes, pipe cutters)
- Aerial equipment (some locations have scissor lifts and boom lifts)
You can check availability at your local store on the Home Depot website under “Tool & Truck Rental.”
What It Costs
Home Depot offers four rental periods for most tools: 4-hour, daily, weekly, and 4-week. Here's what some of the most popular rentals cost:
| Tool | 4-Hour | Daily | Weekly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pressure washer (gas, 3,100 PSI) | $44 | $63 | $252 |
| Tile saw (10-inch wet saw) | $39 | $56 | $224 |
| Floor sander (drum sander) | $46 | $66 | $264 |
| Rotary hammer drill | $35 | $50 | $200 |
| Rear-tine tiller | $52 | $74 | $296 |
| Stump grinder | $110 | $160 | $640 |
| Trencher | $76 | $109 | $436 |
| Carpet cleaner | $32 | $42 | $168 |
| Cargo van | $19 (75 min) | $129 | $903 |
| Pickup truck (F-250) | $19 (75 min) | $129 | $903 |
Prices vary by location. These are approximate based on typical U.S. store pricing. Check your local store for exact rates.
Hidden Costs to Know About
The rental price on the website isn't always the final number you'll pay. Watch for these extras:
- Gas-powered equipment like pressure washers, tillers, and stump grinders need to come back with a full tank. If you return it low, Home Depot charges a refueling fee.
- Home Depot offers an optional damage waiver (typically 15% of the rental cost). If you decline it and the tool gets damaged, you're on the hook for repair or replacement costs.
- Sanding discs for floor sanders, diamond blades for tile saws, and similar consumables aren't included in the rental. You buy them separately. The rental associate should tell you what you'll need.
- Late fees: Return equipment late and you'll be charged additional daily rental fees until it's back. The charges add up quickly, so call the rental desk if you need more time. They can often extend your rental period over the phone.
- Truck overtime: The $19 truck and van rentals cover 75 minutes. After that, you're charged $5 for every extra 15 minutes. Mileage is unlimited, but the clock adds up fast if you're making a long trip. The 75-minute window works for hauling something home from the store, not for an all-day move.
Rent vs. Buy: A Simple Framework
The math on renting vs. buying comes down to how many times you'll use the tool.
Rent if you'll use the tool fewer than 3-4 times total. A $160 stump grinder rental makes sense if you have two stumps to remove. Buying a stump grinder for $2,500 does not.
Buy if you'll use it regularly. A pressure washer you'll run twice a year for the next decade is worth owning. At $63 per rental, it only takes four rentals to exceed the purchase price of a decent consumer model.
The gray zone: If you'll use a tool 3-5 times over several years, compare the total rental cost against the purchase price of a quality model. Factor in storage space too. A rear-tine tiller takes up a lot of garage space for something you use once a year.
How to Reserve a Tool
You can reserve rental tools online through the Home Depot website or by calling your local store's tool rental desk directly. Online reservations let you pick your date and rental period in advance.
Reserving is worth doing, especially on weekends. Popular items like pressure washers, tile saws, and floor sanders get booked up on Saturdays. If you walk in without a reservation on a spring Saturday morning, there's a good chance the tool you want is already out with someone else.
Bring a valid driver's license and a credit card when you pick up. Home Depot places a hold on your card for the rental amount plus a security deposit.
Tips for a Smooth Rental
- Ask the rental associate for a quick demo if you haven't used the tool before. They'll show you how to operate it safely and point out anything that could cause damage.
- Take a photo of the tool when you pick it up. Note any existing scratches or damage on the rental agreement. This protects you from being charged for pre-existing issues.
- Return it clean. A quick wipe-down or rinse goes a long way. Some tools (like floor sanders) will incur cleaning fees if returned caked in dust.
- Plan your project to fit the rental window. If you think a 4-hour rental might be tight, go with the daily rate. The stress of rushing a project to avoid overtime charges isn't worth the $20 you'd save.
Home Depot vs. Dedicated Rental Companies
Sunbelt Rentals, United Rentals, and local equipment rental shops are alternatives worth checking. For basic homeowner tools (pressure washers, carpet cleaners, tile saws), Home Depot's pricing is competitive and the convenience of picking up while you're buying materials is hard to beat.
For heavy equipment like mini excavators, skid steers, or boom lifts, dedicated rental companies often have newer equipment, more availability, and staff who specialize in that machinery. They'll also deliver the equipment to your site, which Home Depot doesn't always offer for large items.
Get quotes from both before committing. A 5-minute phone call could save you $50-$100 on a weekly rental.
The Free Insulation Blower Deal
This deal deserves its own section. Most Home Depot stores will lend you an insulation blower at no charge when you buy 10 or more bags of blown-in insulation. The blower is a machine that costs $200+ per day to rent elsewhere. Buying the insulation and getting the blower free makes attic insulation a surprisingly affordable DIY project.
Ask at the insulation aisle or the tool rental desk about the promotion. You typically get the blower for 24 hours with no rental fee.
